Music stirring my soul . . . Casting Crowns, Until The Whole World Hears

I've set my timer to 30 minutes of blog writing time. I miss blog writing. It's sweet to look back on what I was able to capture in typed words what was stirring inside of my heart. My timer was set earlier for ten minutes of kitchen cleanup. This Momma isn't very fond of housework, so ten committed minutes of kitchen cleanup is a ginormous check off my to do list this morning. I usually pop on some music to help get me through dreadful house duties.

My choice of music this morning was a cd from Casting Crowns titled "Until the Whole World Hears". It's actually been my choice of cd for the last week and I can't get past the first 4 songs without feeling inspired to gobble up every lyric and sing the songs as loud as my heart desires! I'm glad that cd albums still exist. Pulling out the paper insert to read lyrics is fantabulous, and reading the extra tidbits is icing on the cake. I just realized this morning that with each song is a list of Scriptures.

The set of Scriptures listed with the song "Until The Whole World Hears" is:
Matthew 5:16/Matthew 28:19-20/Mark 16:15/John 9:5/Hebrews 13:20-22/James 2:19/John 1:1-42/Matthew 24:14.

Wow! Does that not look like a whole devotional that we can study for that one song. In the coming days, I will look at each Scripture and study how it pertains to the song. For now, this particular post will highlight what stirs within my soul in simply listening to the song.

Casting Crowns
UNTIL THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS

Verse 1:
Lord, I want to feel with Your heart
See the world through Your eyes
I want to be Your hands and feet
I want to live a life that leads

Chorus:
Ready yourselves, ready yourselves
Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night
Ready yourselves, ready yourselves
May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise
Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out
Lifting up Your name for all to hear the sound
Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out
And as the day draws near, we'll sing until the whole world hears

Verse 2:
Lord, let Your sleeping giant rise
Catch the demons by surprise
Holy nations sanctify
Let this be our battle cry

Chorus (1x)
Woah, woah, sing until the whole world hears (2x)

Verse 3:
I want to be Your hands and feet
I want to live a life that leads
To see You set the captive free
Until the whole word hears
And I pray the day will see
More of You and less of me
Lord, I want my life to be
The song You sing

Woah, woah, sing until the whole world hears (2x)

Just watched the video on youtube and I'm blown away! Amazing! I can totally turn my reaction into a whole other blogpost, woohooo!


My 30 minutes are up, so I will end and move on to the next task on my day's to do list. Just about every line in this song resonates and stirs up purpose inside of my heart and soul. I trust my life to the One who holds me in His hands. I trust Him to lead my life and direct my path. My heart's cry is to always shine His love into the lives of my family, friends, and those that He puts in my path.

Much love,
Tanya

Cleansing Rain for a Heavy Heart

As I sit and listen to the rain, I think of the different descriptions of what rain makes us feel emotionally. It can make you feel gloomy and sad. It can also make you feel cozy and cuddly. We've needed rain for awhile as we've been in a drought. Which makes me think of the cleansing feeling rain can bring. I think of the song lyrics, "Lord send the rain, pour out your Spirit, let the fire fall, heal us one and all". My heart is in an awkward state. It is heavy and I need God's cleansing rain to refresh me.

I ask Him to hold me in His arms and carry me through today. To give me the strength to hide my sadness from others so that I don't bring them down also. To remind me of His power to overcome all darkness. To show me a glimmer of hope for today as I read His Word.

"Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young for February 22nd

I was blessed last year with a devotional book titled "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence". This little book has richly touched my heart and helped me during this season of life. Today's entry was deeply convicting, yet it calms me each time that I read it. I hope that it blesses you as well:

"You need Me every moment. Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence. However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up. Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice --- deep dependence on Me, or despair. The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My Presence. Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually: simple, short prayers flowing out of the present moment. Use My Name liberally, to remind you of My Presence. Keep on asking and you will receive, so that your gladness may be full and complete. I THESSALONIANS 5:17; JOHN 16:24 (AMP)"

A Glittery Morning

While driving our 14 year old to school for an early NJHS meeting, the morning sun blessed us with shimmery rooftop views. It is another unusually cold morning and dew must have frozen on the rooftops. As cold as it is, the sun is shining brightly and melting the thin layers of ice. As it melts, it casts a beautiful and gentle glimmer. Reminds me of crafting projects dusted with glimmer mist. Thank You Lord, You truly blessed my heart with the sparkly rooftops! 

Much love,

God is Trustworthy

It is a blustery cold day here in San Antonio, and I am loving every minute of it. This morning we had a late start for one of our kiddos, but it was precious time helping him conquer a homework writing assignment. This is his first year of having a writing TAKS test and it's been a struggle for him, as well as for myself as I've been helping him tackle each writing assignment. Just as we were finishing up, songs that were very fitting for our situation began playing on one of our most favorite radio stations, KLOVE. One of the songs also resonated deep within my heart on some personal issues I have been struggling with. The song was "Day after Day" by Kristian Stanfill. My favorite line is ... "Time after time, our God is faithful ... Trustworthy Savior my hope is in the Lord". I thank you Abba Father for being a constant and faithfully loving God in my life. I am nothing without You. I love You dearly.

Your Precious Daughter,
Tanya

Beautiful display of nature

May not have seen snow here yesterday, BUT . . . WAS SO TOTALLY BLESSED THIS MORNING WITH AN EXPERIENCE OF NATURE I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!!! It was almost magical. The morning of our first hard freeze has displayed leaves falling all over our neighborhood, even now. There was one tree though that stood out above them all. Since my camera battery ran out, I'll have to write the experience down to remember the details. So very thankful . . . thanks God for the wonderful gift this morning, even though I've been such a crank from not getting snow in San Antonio!

Whew!

Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson, Somer Thompson, Angela Montez talked and prayed with robber, Leading the way message, Family Life message, bobunny chipboard . . . all in one day. Kids getting off of school soon; gotta get ready and change hats to "chauffer", "chef", "counselor", etc. Thank you Lord for being my rock.